Improvement in axles and thimble-skeins for vehicles



ApKEssEsE.

Axlekand Thimhle Sksns for Vehicles Patented Septe-mber 2,1873.

AUGUST KESSBERGER, OF SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENTIN AXLES AND THlMBLE-SKEINS FOR VEHICLES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 142,344., datedSeptember 2, 1873; application iiled May 3, 1873.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, AUGUST Knssnnndnn, of Springfield, in the county ofSangamon and in the State of Illinois, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Wagons; and do hereby declare that the followingis a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had tothe accompanying draw.

from the axle.

Letters of like name and kind refer to like parts in each of thegures.

'My invention is an improvement upon a class of axles which areconstructed of, or from,

' metal pipe; and it consists, principally, in the peculiar constructionof the inner end of the thimble-skein, and its combination with thewooden portion of the axle, substantially as and for the purposehereinafter shown. It consists, further, in the means employed forsecuring the thimble-skeins in longitudinal position upon the axle,substantially as is hereinafter set forth. It consists, further, in theemployment of the hollow axle and perforated thimble-skeins for thepurpose of containing and supplying lubricants to the wheelhubs,substantially as is hereinafter shown 'and described.

In the annexed drawing, A represents an axle constructed of, or from, ametal pipe, and

having its ends bent downward at such anangle as to givethe desired set7 to the Wheels.

The ends of the axle A are tapered, and over each is fitted athimble-skein, B, which has a correspondingly-shaped interior opening,and the whole are then secured firmly together by means of a rod,G,which passes through said pipe, and through corresponding openings inthe ends of said skeins, and is provided, upon its threaded ends, withnuts c.

As the rod C rests upon the lower side of the interior of the axle,except at its ends, said rod performs the additional ofiice of atruss-rod, and materially stiifens and strengthens said axle. Theextension of the pipe into the thimble-skeins, instead, as heretofore,of having the latter lled with wood, materially increases the strengthof both parts, and renders their breakage almost impossible.

Fitted to or upon the upper side ofthe pipe A is the wooden portion l)of the axle, which has the usual form, and is secured in `place by meansof two clip-bolts, E, which span its central portion, and pass through aclamp-plate, F, placed beneath said pipe, and, by a similar clip bolt,G, and clamp H, which embrace each end of said wood and the inner end ofthe thimble skein B. In order that the thimble-skein B may be preventedfrom turning upon the axle, its inner end B is squared, and its upperand lower faces embraced by the wood D and plate H, while its side facesare just contained within the clip-bolt G.

This construction enables the thimble-skein -to be Vturned upon its axlewhenever, from wear or from other cause, it is desirable that a changeshould be made. Y

The openings at the ends of the thimbleskeins, being made tight by meansof rubber washers placed beneath the nuts c, and the joint between theinner end of each skein, and the axle packed with red lead, the interiorof said axle is employed as a reservoir for containing lubricating-oil,which latter is admitted through an opening, a, provided, near itscenter, and inclosed by means of a plug, a. Suitable radial openings b,provided in and through the axle-skein, and iilled withibrous material,permit the lubricant to pass outward to the bearin g-surface, therapidity with which the oil passes outward being governed by thecloseness of said fibrous packing'.`

By this arrangement a supply of oil can be introducedand carriedsufficient for a years wear 5 and, as such oil is supplied constantly,in uniform quantities, and without waste, it will be seen that thedurability of the bearings will be increased, and the expense forlubricants materially lessened.

A bolster, I, of usual form, is placed upon the upper side of the woodenportionD of the axle, and secured in place by means of two clips, K,which embrace said parts and the iron axle A. Upon the upper side of thebolster l secured abolster-plate, L, which, as seen in Fi g.

FFI;

l, extends forward ot' said bolster suoiently to permit a king bolt topass downward in front of the latter. The upper portion of the king-boltis contained within a suitable opening, l, in said bolster plate; Whileits lower end passes through a similar opening provided in the extendedend of the clamp-plate F. Around the bolt-opening la bearing, l', is

1. The reversible thimble-skein B, provided with the squared portion B',and combined with the woodenportion D, substantially as and for thepurpose shown.

2.- In combination with the axle A and thimble skein B, the rod C,passing through the interior ofsaid axle, and provided with the nuts o,substantially as and for Lthe purpose set forth.

3. 'Ihe hollow axle A, having the opening a,

and plug a', in combination with the detaohaf ble and reversibleaxle-arms B, provided with the radial openings b, substantially as andfor the purpose shown. Y

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this30th day of April, 1873.

AUG. KESSBERGEB.

'Witnesses L. BRADLEY, J. W. BIT'rINGnR.

